This is basically a return to how things worked a year ago.

Under terms of the new policy, customers with nonrefundable tickets must now cancel their flight reservations before their flight is scheduled to depart. When they do, they will have one year from the date their original ticket was issued to reschedule and apply the value of the unused ticket (less any applicable change fee) to their new trip.



Tickets must be reissued and travel must commence within one year of the date the original ticket was issued.



Here’s how it works: A customer purchases his ticket on Sep. 1, 2003, for travel departing on Oct. 15, 2003. On Oct. 1, 2003, his plans change, and he calls his travel agent or AA Reservations to cancel his itinerary. He will now have until Sep. 1, 2004, (one year after his original ticket issue date) to rebook, have his ticket reissued and commence travel on his new itinerary.

I’m hoping other airlines will follow.